The Star reports that electricity users should brace for indeterminate load shedding as wage negotiations between Eskom and its protesting employees hit a brick wall.
Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe conceded that the wildcat industrial action this week was a result of Eskom and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) not reaching an agreement at the Central Bargaining Forum on Friday, where the unions gave feedback on the wage offer that Eskom tabled two weeks ago. He indicated: “The parties met and deliberated on the wages and the additional demand for bonuses, and jointly resolved to reconvene on August 3 for further talks.” He added that Eskom had sought the services of the CCMA to facilitate the engagement between the organisation and union leaders to resolve the impasse. The power utility has since issued a load shedding schedule on its website and municipal platforms. The NUM is demanding that Eskom pay bonuses for the financial year 2017/18. Spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu said: “We remain adamant that the bonus payment is a deal breaker. Without a bonus there will be no agreement as per our members’ mandate. We demand that Eskom pay the hard-working workers who averted load shedding their bonuses. As it is reflected in the performance score sheet, workers performed exceptionally well.”
- Read more of this The Star report by Siphumelele Khumalo at SA Labour News
- Read too, SA faces power cuts as Eskom power units down, at Moneyweb
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page